Conservatives back Lee Bright, including four former opponents in 4th District race

Lee Bright, center, poses for a photo with Somer Flowers, left, and Nicole Mallozzi in Greenville, S.C. on Tuesday, June 12, 2018 after placing first in the Republican South Carolina 4th Congressional District primary. (Photo: BART BOATWRIGHT/Staff)Buy Photo

COLUMBIA — Former state Sen. Lee Bright on Thursday announced the endorsement of 11 conservatives, including four former opponents in his primary race to become the GOP nominee to replace U.S. Rep. Trey Gowdy.

Former candidates James Epley, who received 8.03 percent of the vote in Tuesday's primary, and Stephen Brown, who received 7.57 percent, according to unofficial returns, said they were now backing Bright, who is in a runoff and is expected to face state Sen. William Timmons. The close finish between Timmons and state Rep. Dan Hamilton has triggered a recount.

Also supporting Bright are Dan Albert and Barry Bell, who each received less than 1 percent of Tuesday night's vote.

Bright received 24.97 percent of the vote while Timmons received 19.20 percent and Hamilton received 18.61 percent, according to the State Election Commission.

In the Democratic primary, Doris Lee Turner will face Brandon Brown in a runoff on June 26.

The recount for the 4th Congressional District GOP candidates is expected to take place around 10:30 a.m. Friday after the State Election Commission reviews certified results, which will be submitted from county election offices by noon Thursday, said Conway Belangia, Greenville County's director of voter registration and elections.

Bright announced the endorsement of what he described as a conservative coalition, including TEA Party leaders, some state lawmakers and local government officials.

“I’m incredibly honored to receive the support of so many prominent conservative leaders who want to take the fight against the political establishment in DC,” Bright said in a statement. “My campaign has earned the endorsement of conservative champions who hold elected office, as well as grassroots leaders who have fought in the trenches against big government interests for years.”

Brown, a former chairman of the Greenville County Republican Party, said it's time for conservatives to get behind a candidate who will advocate for the rule of law and limited government.

"I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know Lee over the years and throughout this election, and I can say with absolute certainty that he will stand with President Trump and help drain the swamp in DC," he said in a statement. "There’s no guessing where Lee stands on the issues or how he’ll vote in Congress. I urge voters to elect Lee Bright and send him to Washington so he can fight for us.”

Epley, a President Donald Trump appointee, said it is imperative that the nominee be someone who will follow Trump's agenda.

"Lee Bright has fought against the political establishment time and time again, and that’s exactly the type of person we desperately need to send to DC," he said.

Also endorsing Bright Thursday were: state Rep. Bill Chumley of Simpsonville, state Rep. Jonathan Hill of Townville, state Rep. Steven Long of Boiling Springs and state Rep. Josiah Magnuson of Campobello.

A total of 12 Republicans and five Democrats competed in Tuesday's primaries. One Republican, Barry Bell, dropped out of the race.

The contest to replace U.S. Rep. Trey Gowdy became one of the nation's most crowded congressional races after he announced Jan. 31 that he would not seek a fifth term in a district that includes most of Greenville County and all of Spartanburg County.

The candidates combined to spend more than $1.9 million, led by Timmons who reported about $1 million in campaign expenses.

Outside groups such as the National Association of Realtors Congressional Fund, Club for Growth Action, the Fund for a Working Congress and the Conservative Leadership Alliance have funneled nearly another $1 million in independent expenditures into the race.